Are you on board with Jake Arrieta as the Orioles' fifth starter?

We’re back at the bar this weekend. I’m still in Florida, so we’ll stick with the Tiki and palm tree motif.

Besides, the palm leaves are effectively covering the Ed Reed mural behind the bar until we can get the painters out here.

On Thursday, Jake Arrieta again looked like the pitcher everyone knows he can be -- striking out nine in six innings and not allowing a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I know, you’ve seen that movie before. Arrieta was the club’s Opening Day starter last year and eventually lost his rotation spot due to an inconsistency that has plagued him throughout his big league career.

He’s 27, which is no longer young in baseball terms. But he’s also not a fossil; he has plenty of good years ahead if he can figure things out.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter won’t name a fifth starter, but it would be pretty shocking if it isn’t Arrieta. Perhaps the only way it wouldn’t be is if the organization were absolutely set on keeping Rule 5 left-hander T.J. McFarland.

McFarland would go to the bullpen, and it’s unlikely the Orioles would carry three left-handed relievers (unless they trade a right-hander, such as Tommy Hunter or Luis Ayala), so Brian Matusz could be moved into the rotation and Arrieta to the minors. At least until the Orioles figure out what they have in McFarland.

I guess it’s also possible the Orioles could send Matusz to Triple-A to continue to work on being a starter and keep McFarland in the bullpen and Arrieta in the rotation.

I don’t see those scenarios happening, though. I see Arrieta being the guy.

And I want to know if you like that idea.

Daily Think Special: Are you on board with Jake Arrieta being the Orioles’ fifth starter?